Do the Irish celebrate Saint Patrick s Day? Saint Patricks Day is a holiday for the Irish people. It is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland and a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland Montserrat and the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In the rest of Canada the United Kingdom Australia the United States and New Zealand it is widely celebrated but is not officially a holiday. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for thousands of years. Ireland s cities all hold their own parades and festivals. In recent years the celebrations in Dublin have been extended to a week-long event called St Patrick s Festival! Saint Patrick s Day is celebrated worldwide by Irish people and increasingly by non-Irish people (usually in Australia North America and Ireland) as well.

He was the grandson of a priest and the son of a tax collector. As a teen in the early 400 s Patrick was captured and brought over from Scotland to be a slave in pagan Ireland. For six years he slaved as a shepherd herding pigs and sheep and began to have religious visions. While spending time in prayer Patrick found himself retreating back to the God he had learned about when he was younger. Inspired by a dream he successfully escaped his bondage and went back to England traveling throughout the region. How did it begin? Irish immigrants coming to America brought their love of Saint Patrick with them.

There are many online sources which can help navigate the many selections available. 9. For the more reflective moments a book focusing on the beautiful Irish scenary can bring the emerald isle into your home. Some selections to look at include Irish Country Style: A Celebration of Ireland s Enduring Charms by Bill Laws The Ancient Books of Ireland by Michael Slavin or Ireland The Emerald Island by Peter Skinner. 8. Celtic Jewelry especially a beautiful celtic cross is a must for every female of Irish descent. 7. Shamrocks. It is possible to purchase shamrocks from numerous online garden retailers to bring the Irish country side home.